Reiki placed a tall stack of books that went past his height onto the table as it pushed some dust into the air. He glanced at all the books on the table and sat down while Ender spoke in his head. He said. [Don’t you usually put more effort into hiding bodies?] Reiki picked a book at random, he thought. I get rid of ‘dead’ bodies, those kids are still alive and will wake up in fifteen minutes or less. He placed the book on the table in front of him and started to awkwardly do mana string with his left hand on the table beside the book.

 

~Ten Minutes Later~

 

Reiki was halfway through a book as he managed to create a triangle with his left hand, he tried to get the tips of his thumb, index, and middle finger to touch. The strings of mana on his left started to dim as it vanished as he started from scratch, from the corner of his eye he saw one of the boys he knocked out struggling to stand up out the window. Reiki turned to the next page as his control over his left hand slightly improved.

 

The boy out the window was looking around with confusion all over his face, he placed a hand on his head which made him flinch. He glanced at his palm and saw bits of dried blood on it, he turned his head and saw Reiki reading a book while struggling to turn the triangle into a circle. The boy’s eyes widened as he started running in a random direction. More boys started to wake up outside as they slowly tried to stand up, they saw Reiki in the library. One of them tried to run but ended up tripping over someone who was trying to get up from the ground.

 

Reiki flipped to the next page, he thought. Should I have an early lunch?... One by one the boys saw him reading a book and started running away from him. Reiki took out his tattered pouch from his pocket, he continued his train of thought. Early lunch it is then, I’ll just see what Kussata has in his wallet. Ditch school at lunch and eat somewhere else. He pushed the book slightly farther away from him and started making room on the table. Reiki placed a large wooden bento and tried to angle the book so that he could read while eating.

 

~Twelve Minutes Later~

 

Beside the wooden chair on Reiki’s left were eight large empty bentos, he let out a loud burp and said. “Excuse me.” He instantly started to do mana string with his left hand and went back to reading. He thought. The size of ore deposits are more than doubled in the old world… The shape of the countries are more or less the same but the size is roughly one point six times bigger… He flipped to the next page and continued his train of thought. … Is there a monster encyclopedia here?... 

 

He stood up from his seat and started browsing through the other shelves, Reiki shook his head sideways and said. “They’re all normal school books…” He made his way back to the table, sat down, and took out a tattered pouch from his pocket. Reiki placed the empty bentos in the pouch as he started doing mana string with his left and flipped the page of the book using his right.

 

~Four Hours Later~

 

Reiki did some stretches while sitting on the chair, he stood up and took out a flip phone to check the time. He thought. One hour before noon… I need to head back to class. On the table were half a dozen books that were neatly organized as he made his way out of the room. Reiki closed the door behind him as he glanced out of the windows, he thought. … The stare is gone… He walked down the hallway, placed his right hand in his pocket, and kept doing mana strings with his left hand. Reiki thought. Ender, what’s your plan to get rid of those blessings? He took a left turn and let out a yawn without bothering to cover his mouth.

 

Ender’s voice rang in his head, he said. [Don’t worry about it, just focus on finding people to pass them on to.] Reiki went up a flight of stairs as he failed to create a mana circle with his left hand. He thought. That’s one way to reassure me. Reiki reached the top of the stairs and made his way to his class, he slid open the door with his right hand as the cheery atmosphere in the room instantly turned silent.

 

He glanced at the room and saw the boys who he knocked out in the library were in a corner staring at their desks while slightly shivering in fear. Reiki closed the door behind him, made his way to his seat, and sat down. The door slid open revealing Sutekina while Reiki hid his left hand under the table. He thought. Did she wait for me to come back to class? Sutekina made her way to the podium in the front of the class as the students quickly stood up and tried to rearrange the tables and chairs.

 

Sutekina waved her hand in dismissal and said. “Don’t organize the chairs, it’s just a quick announcement.” The students sat back down in their seats while staring at her. Sutekina continued. “Everyone line up outside, we’re going to use the new equipment to see which element you have an affinity with.” The entire class erupted into cheers while Reiki scratched his lower back, he thought. Affinity… I hope mine is either wind, ice, or lightning. So I can get my elves’ to teach me. Sutekina let the students cheer for a couple of seconds.

 

She smacked the podium a couple of times as it forced the entire class to quiet down. Sutekina said. “Class rep, if you will.” Takahashi placed a book and a pencil case into her backpack, she said. “Yes, Sensei.” Sutekina made her way out of the room as she closed the door behind her. Takahashi used the zipper to close her bag, she stood up from her seat and said. “Everyone, line up outside, please.” The students stood up from their seats as they systematically walked out of the room outside. Reiki was still sitting on his chair as he watched the kids make their way out of the room.

 

He thought. … He's not here yet… If he still hasn’t arrived by lunch, I’ll call it quits for the day. Reiki turned his head to look out the window and continued his train of thought. … I could be spending time with my girls instead… Takahashi was standing near the door as the last couple of students walked out of the room, she said. “... Akihito-san?” She thought. Those boys ran back to the classroom as if there was a monster on the loose… One of them even had a small patch of skin on their foreheads missing…

 

Reiki stood up from his seat, he said. “Yes, class rep.” He made his way out and saw that the students were in one neat line organized from shortest to tallest. Sutekina stood at the front of the line a few feet apart as Reiki stood beside her while Takahashi closed the door. Takahashi saw him beside the teacher and said. “Akihito-san? The line is over here.” Sutekina raised her hand at her and said. “Leave him alone, class rep.” Takahashi’s face had surprise all over it while the people at the front of the line gave Reiki odd glances.

 

Sutekina continued. “Alright… Students… We’re headed to the gym. I’ve asked for a few second years to help prepare the crystal ball.” Takahashi quickly got in line as Sutekina started walking with Reiki beside her while the line followed them. Reiki covered his mouth and let out a small yawn, he said. “Hey teach, did you listen to any of my recommendations?” The two of them walked down the hallway with the line in tow, Sutekina glanced at him and said. “I did, they were passable.” The two of them took a right as the line followed them.

 

Reiki nodded as he glanced out the window, he said. “I’ll just take that as a sign to stop suggesting music to you.” Suteklina kept her eyes in front, she quickly said. “But as someone with similar interests, it would be rude to judge your taste after a handful of songs.” The kids in the front of the line tried to listen in on their conversation while a few students in the middle and back of the line were giving him odd looks. Reiki let out a soft chuckle and said. “In that case, got any songs you can share with me?”

 

Sutekina opened her mouth but didn’t say anything, she closed her mouth and thought. … The list of songs he gave was… Amazing… She said. “I’ll give you my list… At the end of the day.” They reached the door leading to the gym. Reiki opened the sliding door, gestured inside, and said. “Ladies first.” Sutekina walked in without a second thought while Reiki's gaze immediately wandered onto her butt which was accented by her pencil skirt. He walked into the gym and thought. It’s been a while since the last time I’ve been in a gym… Well, school gym…

 

Reiki increased his pace as he quickly reached Sutekina’s side, he thought. Complete with the court line for basketball. The line walked into the gym as they saw three crystal balls evenly spaced out, the students started walking a bit faster to reach up to them. Reiki was staring at a crystal ball that was on top of a wooden stand as the stand was resting on a stone pillar. He turned his head to face Sutekina and said. “Some of us can barely reach that.” Reiki thought. Looks like some of the kids are going to have to tip-toe…

 

He continued his train of thought. Those should be about the same size as a volleyball… Sutekina smiled at him, grabbed the pillar by the top, and adjusted its height. She said. “How about now?” Reiki moved closer to the stone pillar, he grabbed it by the top and started to change its size. He thought. Interesting… Sutekina turned her head to face the students that gathered around, she said. “Divide your class into three groups. Where’s the class rep?” Takahashi raised her hand, Sutekina moved her gaze onto her and continued. “All students are required to state their element to her. Class rep make a note of everyone please.”

 

Takahashi took out a notepad from her pocket, she said. “I didn’t bring a pen with me…” Reiki stared at the notepad in her hand and thought. You have a notepad in your pocket but not a pen? Sutekina pulled a fountain pen from her pocket and handed it to her, she said. “I want that pen back along with the affinities of your classmates.” Takahashi gave her a slight bow and said. “Yes, Sensei.” Sutekina moved her gaze onto the rest of the students, she said. “Start grouping yourselves into three while I adjust the height of the pillars.”

 

Reiki was still adjusting the pillar while Takahashi walked up to him and said. “Akihito-san, I think you should stop doing that.” Reiki waved his hand at her, he said. “It'll be fine, class rep. I’m not going to break it.” He thought. Even if I did I doubt she’d have anything to say since I’m the one that ‘donated’ these to the school. Sutekina grabbed the top of the pillar as one of the boys Reiki knocked out in the library went after her. He said. “Sensei, Akihito-san assaulted me in the library.”

Sutekina lowered the pillar so that the students could reach it, she made her way to the other one on the opposite side while the boy followed her. She said. “Do you have any evidence for that baseless claim?” The boy said. “Teiko along with five other of my classmates are also victims.” Sutekina lowered the last pillar, she thought. At least you’re being honest with the number of your little group. She looked down at him and said. “Bring the rest of your… Friends and I’ll call Reiki.” Sutekina walked toward him while the boy she left behind had a confused look on his face.

 

He thought. … Reiki?... The boy gestured for his friends to come toward him as they had smirks on their faces. Teiko let out a cold chuckle and said. “We went over the story a dozen times already, we speak one by one and don’t give him a chance to talk.” Reiki was walking beside Sutekina, he saw the group of kids he beat with a book and thought. Oh, it’s just these idiots again. The two of them reached the group, Sutekina said. “Suzuki, just to be clear. It’s this student that you claim assaulted you seven.” Suzuki looked up to her and said. “Y-Yes, Sensei.”

 

A few boys in the group acted to be afraid while Teiko pointed at Reiki and said. “That’s right, Sensei. He used one of the book's spines to hit all of our heads.” Sutekina kept a calm expression as a hint of astonishment appeared in her eyes, she thought. He used a book as a weapon? She turned her head to look down on Reiki, Sutekina said. “Reiki, do you have anything to say for yourself?” Teiko gave one of the boys a signal with his eyes.

 

One of them pulled a boy with a band aid on the top of their forehead. The boy glanced at Reiki who had a bored expression as he quickly moved his gaze to the floor, he glanced at Teiko who was glaring at him as he quickly peeled the band aid on his forehead. He said. “S-Sensei, look. Reiki gave me a wound on m-my face.” Sutekina’s pupils faintly glowed a light blue, she thought. It’s real. The glow in her eyes slowly dissipated as she turned her head to face Reiki. Teiko glanced at Reiki from the corner of his eyes and thought. Keep acting calm all you want.

 

The corner of Teiko’s mouth curled into a cold smirk, she said. “Sensei, since there’s so many victims here, how about you expel-.” Sutekina let out a sigh which made him stop, Teiko thought. What’s with her lack of reaction? Suteking looked down at Reiki and said. “How do you want to do this?” Reiki looked up at her, he said. “Suspend them for a week and call their parents when school’s done.” The group of boys started to voice their complaints while they had a hint of panic on their faces.

 

The boys started to talk over each other while trying to say their objections. “Sensei, this isn’t fair-!” “Sensei, please don’t suspend me my parents-!” They started cutting each other's sentences and started arguing amongst themselves while Reiki watched them with a smile on his face, he thought. I guess making other people's lives miserable and causing them pain is still an option for entertainment. Sutekina glanced at him from the corner of her eye, she thought. … Is he… Enjoying their despair?... The other students turned their heads toward them as Sutekina’s pupils faintly glowed, she spoke in a cold tone and said. “Quiet.”

 

The boys instantly shut their mouths while the glow in Sutekina’s eyes instantly vanished, she turned her head to the students who were staring at them as they quickly turned their heads. Reiki pretended to think, he said. “I changed my mind.” The boys turned their heads at him as they had a hint of hope in their eyes. Reiki’s smile turned into a cold smirk, he continued. “Make it two weeks and with every day of their suspension. If there’s homework they automatically get a zero for it.”

 

Sutekina nodded and said. “Sato, Tanaka, Amaya, Fukumoto, Hamada, Suzuki, and Teiko. You seven are not allowed to use the equipment today.” All the boys who were called were frozen in place. Amaya crumpled the band aid for his wound with his hand, he said. “Then when are we going to learn what our affinity is?” Sutekina stared at him for a couple of seconds and spoke with a hint of coldness in her tone, she said. “The schedule of your seniors is busy these following months.” Teiko was completely frozen while Sato raised his hand. Sutekina nodded at him and said. “What do you have to say, Sato?” 

 

Sato placed his hand down and said. “How long?” Sutekina placed a hand on her hip and said. “I can’t say, you all know that your seniors need all the help they can get.” She gestured at the door, Sutekina continued. “I think now is a good time for you to reflect on your actions in the classroom.” The boys reluctantly made their way to the door while Teiko stood still, he said. “Sensei… You’re joking… Right?...” Reiki let out a muffled chuckle while Sutekina glanced at Teiko and said. “Head back to the classroom.”

 

Teiko started screaming at the top of his lungs, he shouted. “This is preferential treatment!” The other boys started running toward the door as the entire class turned their heads at him. Sutekina’s pupils faintly glowed, she spoke in a harsh tone and said. “It is, so?” Teiko’s expression slowly turned into disbelief, he let out a mocking laughter. He said. “Fine…” Teiko pointed at Reiki and continued. “I’m going to tell my older brother about you.” Reiki let out a laugh, he said. “Tell me in advance first, I need to find the right book to smack both of your heads with.

 

Teiko let out a scoff as he turned around and made his way to the door. Sutekina looked at the students who were staring and said. “Start placing your hands on the crystal ball before I send you back to the classroom like them.” The students quickly turned their heads while a couple of students quickly made their way toward Takahashi. Reiki stared at the crystal ball, he thought. I wonder what happens if Cherry touches this. Sutekina looked down at him and said. “Do you know how this works?” Reiki looked up to her as he spoke in a blunt tone, he said. “Nope.”

 

Sutekina gestured at the ball, she said. “All you have to do is place your hand on it.” Reiki raised a brow and said. “That’s it?” Sutekina nodded at him, she thought. Anything but earth… Reiki placed his hands on the crystal ball as a sharp red light started to shine, he thought. Fire. Sutekina let out a soft sigh of relief, she thought. … It’s fire… At least I can tell my older sister some good news today… Reiki stared at the crystal ball as a warm light blue shined creating a stark contrast, he thought. Duel elements? Score.

 

A hint of surprise appeared in Sutekina’s eyes, she thought. Dual affinity, you don’t see that everyday. The rest of the students saw the glow from the crystal as they started whispering among each other while glancing at the light. Reiki stared at the shining crystal ball and thought. It’s not lightning or wind, but I can still ask Mora and Nora to teach me a few things about magic. The red and blue colors started to move as Sutekina with a hint of dread at the back of her mind, she thought. If there is a god… It’ll stop at four elements…

 

A green color appeared as it quickly grew to fill up a section of the crystal ball, Reiki thought. I guess I can ask them to personally teach me. Sutekina was intently staring at the crystal ball while the whispers of the students got a bit louder. The three colors in the crystal ball started moving as a deep rich brown as the colors of the crystal were split into four. Sutekina stared at it and thought. Now stop… The four colors started to settle down as her eyes narrowed slightly, her heart dropped as the colors started to move again.

 

Three new colors quickly started shining as it fought for space in the crystal, two shades of blue that were nearly identical and pale green appeared dividing the crystal into seven colors. Reiki stared at it and thought. I can tell what the first four colors are, but what are the two shades of blue supposed to be?… He moved his hand away from the crystal ball and turned his head to look up at Sutekina whose eyes had a hint of disappointment in them which quickly vanished when Reiki looked in her direction. He thought. Not the expression I was expecting.